Allwyn has appointed Francesco Rodano, a former executive from Playtech, as its new group head of responsible gaming. With nearly a decade of experience at Playtech, Rodano previously served as the chief policy officer, overseeing the company’s regulatory framework. From January last year until August 2026, he directed global player protection efforts in the role of chief sustainable gambling officer.
During his tenure at Playtech, Rodano played a critical role in the development and implementation of BetBuddy, an AI-driven behavioral analytics platform designed to detect and intervene in potentially harmful gambling behaviors.
Prior to entering the private sector, Rodano was the director of remote gaming at Italy’s regulator, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli, for almost ten years. He was pivotal in creating Italy’s national online gaming framework and worked closely with international regulatory organizations. Additionally, he was a member of a European expert group focused on gaming regulations. In total, Rodano brings 20 years of industry experience to his new role.
In an interview shared on Allwyn’s LinkedIn page, Rodano expressed his comprehensive involvement in player protection initiatives. This appointment underscores Allwyn’s dedication to bolstering responsible gaming as a core element of its growth strategy. The company has already achieved Level 4 accreditation under the World Lottery Association’s responsible gaming framework, the highest possible rating.
Robert Chvátal, Allwyn’s CEO, stated that Rodano’s hire aligns with the company's long-term objective of integrating integrity and player safety throughout its products and markets. "Player protection is something I live and breathe and I look forward to implementing that passion at scale across Allwyn," Rodano remarked, emphasizing the company’s unique position to benefit from its diverse market operations.
Rodano's appointment comes amidst a series of leadership changes at Allwyn, including Phil Walker's transition to head the UK business, the hiring of Katie Harbron as director of games in the UK, and the appointment of Khalid Reede Jones as CEO for North America.
